Tailing-sampler.



C. L. LAWTON.

TAIUNG SAMPLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1915.

Patented June 27, 1916.

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C. L. LAWTON.

TAILING SAMPLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19. 1915.

Patented June 27, 1916.

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C. L. LAWTON.

TAILING SAMPLER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 19. i915.

Patented June 27, 1916.

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CHARLES L. LAWTON, OF HANCOCK, MICHIGAN.

TAILING-SAMPLER.

Application filed May 19, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. LAw'roN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hancock, in the county of Houghton and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Tailing-Sampler, of which the following is a specification.

In ore milling operations it is necessary to frequently take samples of the tailing (which are usually carried away in launders) in order to determine the character of the work done; the present invention relates to a device whereby the samples are automatically taken, preferably from sub stantially the whole of the cross section of the launder.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of means for taking samples of the contents of the launder at predetermined intervals, whereby the personal equation of the workman commonly employed for this purpose is avoided.

The invention also consists in a sampler wherein the sample launder need not be located lower than the upper level of the main launder, as heretofore; in fluid pressure jet means for lifting the samples from the main launder to sample launder; in means for moving the jet back and forth across the main launder, whereby a representative sample is secured; in means for automat1- cally cutting off the fluid from the jet at the termination of each movement, which results in economy of operation; in means for establishing a seal over the intake to the jet whereby air is prevented from being drawn in; and means whereby the frequency of the sample-taking operation may be regulated.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view, parts being brokeniaway, showing a preferred embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2

is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1, parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, one of the splash boards being removed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section of the intake or suction nozzle. Fig. 5.is an enlarged detail view of the valve for controlling the admission of fluid to the jet.

Similar reference charaotersrefer to like parts throughout the several views.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1916.

Serial No. 29,064.

transversely across the launder 1-2 is a sample launder that preferably comprises a bottom 3, inclined both longitudinally and transversely of the tailing launder, and the sides 4 and 5. Located at the junction of these launders is a frame which may be formed of uprights 6, cross beams 8 and 9 and the longitudinal beams 10. This frame constitutes a support for the brackets 11 in which rest the pivots 12 of a tilting box or receptacle 13, the latter of which is divided into halves by thepartition 14. Liquid is delivered to the box at a predetermined rate from a pipe 15, provided with a valve 16;

and, as the pivots 12 are located below the center of gravity of the box when either side is filled, it follows that there is a tendency to alternately tip in opposite directions. The amountof tipping may be limited by longitudinal beams 17, and the liquid is discharged, during each movement, against the corresponding splash board chute 18 from which it is delivered to the launder 1-2.

Extending transversely across the main launder are spaced tracks, each of which is preferably formed of an upper rod 20 and a lower rod 21 supported on brackets 22 at the sides of the launder; and, arranged to travel on the tracks, is a carriage comprising the end frames, each of which may include the grooved wheels 24 mounted in two diamondshaped plates 25 rigidly secured together and inclosing the rods of the corresponding track, and the cross bar 26. The latter is fixed to the end frames and passes through slots 28 in rms 29, one of which is attached to each side of. the tilting box. Movement of the box is therefore transmitted to the carriage to cause it to pass back and forth across the launder at predetermined intervals. the time of which may be varied by adjusting the valve 16.

The downstream end frame of the carriage has secured thereto a plate orbracket 81, and the up-stream end frame carries a similar but longer bracket 32. Extending through a hole in the plate 31, and threaded or otherwise secured in a member 33, Figs. 3 and 4, that may be pivoted at 3 1 to the bracket 32, is a sample delivery pipe 35, the upper end 36 of which is preferably curved down-stream in respect to the sample launder. The member 33 also has secured thereto a nozzle 37 the lower end of which is preferably flattened at 38 to form a narrow intake 39 (Fig. 2) that may be arranged ice in a vertical plane. Suction for the nozzle is produced by a pet 40 (Fig. i) that preferably enters the pipe 35 through the member 33, and which receives steam, air or other fluid (preferably steam) from a flexible hose 4E1.

A gate-valve 42 F ig. 2) of well known construction supplies fluid to the hose 41 from a pipe 43 (Fig. 3) that leads to any desired source. Opening and closing of the valve is controlled by the stem 44 and arm 45, from which the links 46 lead to levers at? pivoted near the sides of the frame. One arm 18 of each of said levers extends into the path of the cross bar 26 of the carriage and is provided with a longitudinally slidable latch 49 having an inclined end 19 that, when in lowermost posit-ion, projects some what from the arm and is spaced from the end 48 thereof to form a pocket 48. As the cross-bar 26 approaches the limit of its movement in either direction it contacts with the corresponding latch face 49 and elevates the latch, after which continued movement closes the valve 42; when, however, the carriage travels in the opposite direction the latch and arm again open the valve, and it stays open until the carriage has passed to the opposite end of the track. It will therefore be seen that the fluid is automatically admitted to the pipe 35 to force a sample of the material in the launder 1-2 up into the sample launder whenever the carriage moves in either direction, and is automatically shut ofi from the pipe at the end of the movement. The action of the valve may be further regulated by forming an adjustable connection between the member I6 and 47, that shown comprising a pin 48 inserted in any desired one of a series of holes 48 Were no means provided to prevent it, it would be possible, in case the level of the liquid in the main launder fell'considerably, for the upper end of the orifice 39 of the nozzle to become uncovered, thereby admitting air and causing less than a full sample of the liquid to be taken. Mechanism for preventing this will now be described.

Mounted on pivots 50 carried by the sides 2 of the launder are the vertically swinging arms 51, to the ends of which are attached the floats 52 that may be joined by a cross bar 53. Brackets 54 depend from the arms and support a track 55, on which is arranged to travel a roller 56 which carries one end of a bar 57. The other end of the bar may be supported to swing vertically on a pin 58, preferably located on the bracket 31 of the carriage. To the bar 57 is pivotally secured a link 59, the lower end of which is pivoted to a U-shaped closure plate 60. The latter extends around the flattened portion 38 of the nozzle and over the orifice 39, and is capable of vertical swinging movement and forth across the launder 12.

age device (not shown), preferably to a sack through which the water'passes, leavmg the residue behind. In use in condltions where the climate demands it, the entire in-' stallation will, of course, be inclosed in a suitable housing, which may be heated in any desired manner.

To repeat :-VVater from the pipe 15 flowing into the box 13 tilts the latter alternately in opposite directions on the pivots 12, and, by means of the arms 29 and the carriage, moves the sample elevating mechanism back During these movements fluid under pressure is admitted to the jet 40 through the hose 41, but between successive movements the fluid is cut off by the valve 42 and associated parts.

The admission of air to the pipe 35 is prevented by the action of the floats52 and closure 60 as heretofore stated.

Obviously, the details of the construction may be changed within wide limits without departing from the spirit of my invention. I do not, therefore, wish to be limited otherwise than as indicated by the subjoined claims.

'I claim 1. In combination, a launder for transporting. material by liquid, and fluid pressure means operated by a fluid other than the liquid by which the material is transported for automatically taking and elevating samples of the material at predetermined intervals.

2. In combination, a launder for trans porting material, suction means movable transversely of the launder for automatically taking and elevating samples of the material, and means for moving the suction means back and forth with reference to the launder.

3. In combination, a launder for transporting material, a sample-taking device,

means for moving the device transversely of the launder, said device comprising a pipe extending down into the launder, a jet opening into the pipe, means, including a valve, for admitting fluid to the jet to cause a sample of the material to be drawn into the pipe, and means actuated by the .movement of the sample-taking device, for

controlling the valve.

5. In combination, a device for transporting material, and means for taking samples of the material while in motion, said sample-taking means comprising a pipe having an open end arranged to contact with the moving material, means for moving the open end of the pipe across themoving material at predetermined intervals, and means for creating a suction in the open end of the pipe during the movement thereof.

6. In combination, a launder for trans porting material by a current of liquid, a device for taking samples of the material, said device including a suction pipe having an open intake end, means for maintaining the upper portion of the intake end a predetermined distance below the surface of the liquid, whereby air is prevented from being drawn into the pipe and means for creating a suction at the open end of said pipe.

7. In combination, a launder for transporting material by a current of liquid, a device for taking samples of the material, said device including a suction pipe having an open intake end, means for moving the intake end of the suction pipe transversely of the launder to take a sample, means for maintaining a water seal over the upper edge of the opening during the transverse movement, whereby air is prevented from being drawn into the pipe and means for creating a suction at the open end of the pipe.

8. In combination, a launder for transporting material by a current of liquid, a device for taking samples of the material, said device including a suction pipe having an open intake end, means for moving the intake end of the suction pipe transversely of the launder to take a sample, means for maintaining a water seal over the upper edge of the opening during the transverse movement, whereby air is prevented from being drawn into the pipe, said last-mentioned means comprising a closure movable across the pipe, and a float for controlling the movement of the closure and means for creating a suction at the open end of said pipe.

9. In combination, alaunder for transporting material by a current of liquid, a device for taking samples of the material, said device including a suction pipe having an open intake end, the opening in the end of the suction pipe being in the form of a narrow slit having an upper end and a lower end, means for maintaining a water seal over the slit, said means including a closure movable across the slit from the upper edge thereof, a float for controlling the movement of the closure, and means for moving the intake end of the suction pipe back and forth across the launder and means for creating a suction at the open end of said pipe.

10. In combination, a launder for transporting material in liquid, means movable transversely across the launder to take sam ples of the material, said means including a carriage comprising spaced end frames and a cross bar joining the end frames, a track upon which the carriage travels, and a water motor for moving said carriage at predetermined intervals, said motor including a. divided receptacle, a pivotal support therefor, means for supplying water to one side of the receptacle at a time, the pivotal support being located below the center of gravity of the receptacle, when one side is iilled with water, whereby the receptacle is alternately tilted in reverse directions about the pivots, and means for transmitting the movement of the receptacle to the carriage.

11. In combination, a launder for transporting material in liquid, means movable transversely across the launder to take samples of the material, said means including a carriage comprising spaced end frames and across bar joining the end frames, a track upon which the carriage travels, and a water motor for moving said carriage at predetermined intervals, said motor including a divided receptacle, a pivotal support therefor, means for supplying water to one side of the receptacle at atime, the pivotal support being located below the center of gravity of the receptacle when one side is filled with water, whereby the receptacle is alternately tilted in reverse directions about the pivots, and means for transmitting the movement of the receptacle to the carriage, said last mentioned means including a slotted member secured to the receptacle and embracing the cross bar of the carriage.

12. In combination, a launder for transporting material in liquid, means movable transversely across the launder to take samples of the material, said means including a carriage, a fixed track upon which the carriage travels, and means for moving said carriage along the track at predetermined intervals.

13. In combination, a launder for transporting material in liquid, means movable transversely across the launder to take samples of the material, said means including a carriage, a fixed track upon which the can riage travels, and a wat r motor for moving said carriage at predetermined intervals, said motor including a divided receptacle, a pivotal support therefor, means for supplyits ing water to one side of the receptacle at a time, the pivotal support being located below the center of gravity of the receptacle, when one side is filled with water, whereby the receptacle is alternately tilted in reverse directions about the pivots, and means for transmitting the movement of the receptacle to the carriage.

14. In combination, a launder for transporting material in liquid, suction means movable transversely across the launder to take and elevate samples of the material, said means including a carriage, a track upon which the carriage travels, and means for moving said carriage along the fixed track at predetermined intervals.

15. In combination, a launder for transporting material in liquid, means movable transversely across the launder to take samples of the material, said means including a carriage, a fixed track upon which the carriage travels, and a water motor for moving said carriage at predetermined intervals, said motor including a divided receptacle, a pivotal support therefor, means for supplying water to one side of the receptacle at a time, the pivotal support being located below the center of gravity of the receptacle when one side is filled with water, whereby the receptacle is alternately tilted in reverse directions about the pivots, and means for transmitting the movement of the receptacle in respect to the launder for taking samples of the material, said means including a car riage, suctlon means supported thereon and having a pipe with an open end arranged to contact with the material, means for moving the carriage and pipe in respect to the launder at intervals and means for causing the suction means to take samples of the material while the carriage is moving.

17. In combination, a launder for transporting material, suction means for taking and elevating samplesof the material, means for creating a suction in the suction means, means for intermittently imparting movement to the suction means in respect to the launder, means for simultaneously causing the suction creating means to become operative, and means for causing the suction means to thereafter become inoperative.

In testimony whereofI sign this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses'. V

7 CHARLES L. LAWTON. Witnesses: V

W. M; BELL, R. T. MtiHLHliUsnR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for flve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner or Patents,

Washington, ILC. 

